Blogger WordPress Square Wix For Blogging

Blogger WordPress Square Wix For Blogging Platforms

 Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you dropping by. I am curious. Do you blog? If for whatever reason you don’t blog do you like to visit different blogs? If visiting do you visit frequently, once in a while, don’t return, not interested, and why do you do what you do?

Reason I ask is something I have been watching, and thinking about for a long time now. Thinking, looking, researching, and so on. I have been with Blogger for a very long time. At some point in time I got a domain that I directed this way too. I added different pages to expand my blog, and spent time with it. I was active, consistent, and at some point I was doing ok with it. I was considering make it my main website. I would get descent views, visits, comments, etc. Then, heard about Word Press. I did set things up there, but have never been truly active with it. I still have my place there, and I drop in once a great while. I have done Blogger enough I am use to the way things are done here.

Stepping back a little, looking at things, and I guess I’m being concerned with the time I do put into Blogger, and the actual visits I get. How many views I have been getting is not so good. Not like it use to be, and not quite where I would like to see it. Over time some of my posts have gotten a lot of views, but why is it taking so long? What am I doing wrong, what could I do better, where do I need to improve?

Over time I have looked, read what others have shared, view blogs on other platforms, and then I do see others that use Blogger too. Word Press seems to be pretty popular for a blog. You could have Blue Host, or even Go Daddy to host Word Press too. I have also seen Square mentioned, and Wix has had good recommendations too. Some who have their own websites have a blog with it too. So, I have hope with blogging when I see that. Just trying to find where I fit in, and what works for me to make things better for everyone who visits with me too. 

So, if you are blogging, or visit a blog what platform do you like to visit? What has been a good experience for you? I love Blogger, but have been really considering putting more effort into my place I have at Word Press too. I need to be where I can get more visits, be found, and is a good fit for those who visit with me also. It’s not just all about what works for me, but what is acceptable for others too. Is it time for me to invest a little bit into blogging with hosting, and not using free? 

Please, I would love for you to share with me your experiences, your thoughts, your ideas with this subject. I have read quite a bit, but would appreciate some input from all of you too. So, when you get a chance, and feel like it please share with me your thoughts and experiences with blogging. I would really appreciate some constructive input, and ideas to consider from others.

I appreciate everyone visiting with LilacsNDreams today. Thanks for stopping by, and hope to see you again soon. Have a great day!

Holidays Thanksgiving Christmas Fall Winter Decorating

 

Holidays Thanksgiving Christmas Fall Winter Decorating

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I hope everyone is surviving the weather changes, and you are enjoying the time of year with the seasons changing. We go from one to another. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Most times anymore you are not able to get through one, and another one has started in the stores already. Feels like the meaning of each one is overlooked because it’s a retail thing. Sorry, just a little venting.

This year for the first time we have our tree up, and sitting where we want it. It does not have lights on it, it’s not decorated yet, but it is up. We truly debated about doing it this soon. Usually it’s a thing when Thanksgiving is done the tree goes up. This year for some reason is different. The mood of us, everyone around us, people everywhere, and I think just looking for that cheerful feeling / mood that we always have at Christmas time. I felt guilty about setting up this early, but have found friends a couple hours away, and friends down south from us have done the same thing. Some are mostly decorated, and some have fully decorated. Everywhere wanting the feeling of the cheer, and joy that is felt at this time of year. 

So, son bringing Christmas decorations up from basement a bit at a time, and slowly stacking containers. I have gone through the first batch he brought up. I have put Christmas decorations up, some have been set to the side to decide what to do with them, maybe some will be donated, some things have been moved or rearranged already, and it’s a working progress. Not worried about anyone seeing anything till after Thanksgiving with the schedule of things this year. Waiting for a nice day again to get lights off bushes from Halloween, and to put the Christmas lights on the bushes. 

This is the window that the tree fits in the best with the height, and fullness. The stand, and love seat have been moved away from the corner to make room for the tree.

One of the shelves on the wall in the living room. I think I might add some candles that are on timers to this yet. It’s a working progress yet. 

Other shelf that is to the left from the first one you see above. Looks nice when the candles on timers turn on at night. Has a nice soft flicker glow.

Part of the bay window that Mr and Mrs Santa Claus will be standing in. Till then things set there, get placed when ready, and so on. These are decorative gift boxes that will set around the tree. I cannot put them there yet until the tree lighting, and decorations are done. 

Gotta make room for our Grinch stand, and the Santa stand too. They seem to be supervising things I am doing … LOL!

This Noel lighted sign is big, and will hang on 1 side of our porch railing that is quite visible to many who come into town

This is the top of the other living room stand that has pictures on it. Pieces I have set there for now. It has been rearranged once, and not sure if I am settled yet. We’ll see what else comes up from the basement for me to consider.

I have many Christmas table covers to use. Some are still new in their packages like this one was. I like having a bit variety to choose from because each year it changes a little with the decorative decor used. 

This year I have filled the curio cabinet with quite a few Christmas pieces. Some were added with everyday decor, and then some shelves were cleared and all Christmas added. 

1 corner of the dining area showing wall decor, and a start to what will sit on the buffet. I generally have my lighted village all along the length of the buffet which I started with 1 church I found. Definitely a working progress with that.

Here is the full wall above my buffet that was decorated. I removed everyday pictures that were hanging there, and filled the spots with Christmas wall decor. The buffet has a blue with white design table cover laid, and I added white material to the top of that. Working with the snow looking effect for the village, and things to be placed there.

This is another corner in the dining area, and the wall decor placed there.

This is the start to the decorating that will be done. In the dining area I have an old sewing machine on 1 wall that also gets decorated. The bay window in the living room is a big one. The platform there is like a 3rd of the wall. So, naturally it has become a feature to decorate for all to see when they drive by. This year Mr and Mrs Santa will be standing there. They are not animated ones, but are so adorable! Each side will have a 3-4 foot tree placed there, and lights on them to match the big tree. Some lighted gift box decor will be placed there, and I think we still have the little elf boy and Rudolph to place there too. Love making some kind of scenery in that window.

Really, we have a lot more to do. We sit on a corner lot on Main Street, and are known as the decorative house for the holidays. Every year we might use some of the same things, but we generally arrange things differently to have a different look every year too. One of the biggest joys is the look, excitement, and comments from the kids and the adults. Last year we had a blow up in corner by the fence. This blow up was of a little outhouse, the door opened, and Santa would be peaking out with a roll of tissue next to him on the wall. So many cars driving by, slowing down, driving around to look again, and to watch the smiles and laughs. Like I said there is much joy in watching all of this. 

Well, this is all for this I am sharing today. I do hope you enjoyed, and look forward to you visiting again. Take care, and see you again soon. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams!

Upcycle Repurpose Something With Potential No Waste

 

Upcycle Repurpose Something With Potential No Waste

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! A major thing for me with upcycling, and repurposing is I hate to see something with potential go to waste. There are many things in the home, thrift stores, second hand stores, and around us that can be upcycled, and repurposed. 

UPCYCLE is taking an item that is headed to the trash, and being discarded or forgotten. Put it into the recycle bin , and turn it into something useful again. 

REPURPOSE simply means using an item in a way that wasn’t originally made, or intended to be used. 

Think outside the box to find items that you can create with. Things in your home, thrifting, junking, yard sales, estate sales, and sometimes a curbside find too. There is no rules, or limit on how you can do things.  Many upcycle, and repurpose items into something useful for the home. Get the look you love without spending a lot of money. Save some money, and have a unique decor for you or given as a gift too. 

Here is a list of some ideas to consider, and to maybe make things that you want for yourself. 

*Globes can be used for hanging in a nursery, and the globe stand could be used to make a paper towel stand.

* Instead of discarding an old lamp shade you could make it into a wired basket that can be used for a waste basket, use it for storing things, and a basket to put with your decor. 

*Use a ladder, and make it into a blanket rack. 

*A vintage, or old bar cart could be made into an end table. Open area could hold plants, or maybe place a lamp on it too. 

*Vintage tea cups you don’t know what to do with? They are adorable as candle holders. 

*An old dresser, or buffet can be made into a bathroom vanity

*Old shutters can be made into wall, or home decor

Possibilities are endless, and so much fun too. Also, you made it makes it a little more special too. 

To see more pictures, or images from the list I shared you can google it, or better yet you could look on Pinterest where many ideas are shared by many people. Look for images of finished items, and sometimes some of the images will have instructions for how they were designed. Another place to look would also be on Tik Tok where you will get some live feeds to show you things too. 

Hope everyone enjoyed some ideas of taking trash, and making them into treasures. DIY projects are great for everyone to do. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop by again soon. Take care!

Christmas Crafting Pool Noodles Into Candles

 Christmas Crafting Pool Noodles Into Candles 

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Everyone survive all the Halloween festivities? For some a busy weekend too. But, here we are November. Feeling the season changing more, next will be Thanksgiving, but as we have all seen Christmas is out everywhere too. 

I Love Christmas! I love being able to craft, upcycle, repurpose all things christmas. Today I want to share a DIY project using pool noodles. Many things can be done with pool noodles, and over time I have learned to keep a few on hand in case I get an urge to make something with them. You see it done many times how pool noodles are used to make Halloween candles. They look great all decorated, and made up too. So, now we get to experience using them for Christmas candles. There are some great ones made I have seen with some adorable center pieces too. 

You could look for the color pool noodle of the color candles you want like red, green, blue, and white too. Of course if you have no luck finding the color you want you can always paint them as well. Have fun creating them, and making them to what you want displayed in your home. You can cut them into different sizes you want for a candle, or for a bundle of candles. 

Ok, once you cut them to the sizes you want don’t forget to outline the base of a tea light flicker candle at the top of the pool noodle. You’ll want to do this to help you better know what hole needs to be cut for you to insert the tea light candles in there. Don’t put them in quite yet though. You want the candle to be completed with any paint you want done, adding glue for the melted wax effect, adding some glitter maybe, epson salt can also be added to give the candle more of a natural look. Just so many fun, and exciting things you can do!

Once the candles have been decorated the way you want you can then add them to whatever you want to use for the base of your center pieces. You can use charger plates, pizza pans, maybe a rectangular serving tray, maybe a rimmed round tray, some kind of bowl, and the possibilities are endless. After deciding that you could add some snow around the bottom, add trees, add some deer, add snowmen, set a bench and some decorative light posts, put some snowflakes on the candles, put some ribbon on the candles, and again the endless possibilities you have with this are so fun!

Below you will see pictures shared of different ideas to make these candles. You will see some arrangements, how some were decorated, and I hope you enjoy them and are able to get some ideas for what you would like. These pictures I share are not my creations. Most were found on Pinterest, in Google searches, and some of them will be marked with who made and shared them too. 

They can be made simple with such a great effect. They can be dressed up more to give it the feel/vibe you want to share. No rules, no right or wrong, just do as you wish for what works for you. Oh, so fun isn’t it?

Well everyone I hope you enjoyed this idea of crafting with pool noodles. There is a lot you can do. I chose to show you the candles because honestly candles are a favorite thing of mine. I enjoy making them, and creating with candle holders too. For more ideas look at Pinterest, and do a Google search. Also, check with different craft groups locally and on Facebook too.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Have a great day, take care, and see you again soon!

Using black pool noodles, adding some glue for the melted wax look is my start for these I did couple years ago to put into a vendor fair I attended

Pretty much how it ended up with it being decorated. This was the 2nd time I had made these. Honestly, I think I rushed doing this a little bit. But, it was fun, and I got a lot of looks, compliments, and inquiries. 

Halloween Trick or Treat Celebrations Fun and Costumes

Halloween Trick or Treat Celebrations Fun and Costumes

Happy Halloween Everyone from LilacsNDreams! It’s Friday, October 31, it’s officially Halloween, and everyone is busy with this upcoming weekend. Our town did its trick or treating last sunday from 4 - 6. Gorgeous out, sunny, light wind, and comfortable. It went well for us. I know tonight the town east of us, that we use to live before here, is having their trick or treating tonight from 5:30 to 7:30. Then, tomorrow morning they will have their Trunk or Treat with the downtown businesses, and area. I honestly miss doing things like they are. 

Anyway, gonna keep this short for you. I just wanted to stop by, and wish everyone a Happy Halloween. 

Please, have fun, enjoy, dress up, celebrate with others and with the kids, but also be safe out there too. Lots of creatures, and lots of crazies will be out. LOL!! 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams! Take care!

* * * *  P.S. Just a small note to let you know that after looking things over I have decided that I will be going back to my weekly postings being on Monday mornings. Hope this is agreeable with everyone. Take Care, and thanks again for visiting! * * * * 

 

Upcycled Repurposed Glass Salt Pepper Shakers Candle Holders

 

Upcycled Repurposed Glass Salt Pepper Shakers Candle Holders

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Everyone ready for the Trick or Treaters? When will you be doing yours? I know many towns do theirs at different times. We had ours on Sunday night which was a nice comfortable evening for it. Not to cold, sunny, light wind, and it was soo much fun seeing the kids all dressed up too!

Sorry, little side track there. I have been roaming the internet, Pinterest, Google, checking out different selling platforms, and I have been admiring pictures I see for craft projects that have been done. I really adore how you can thrift, find something that was discarded, and sometimes finding vintage pieces to use for your projects too. Just love giving new life to glassware found, and making unique pieces to fit with your home decor. Especially now you are seeing a lot of pieces created for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

I love upcycled repurposed glassware. I have seen, and found some adorable pieces done with smaller pieces of glass. Just so cute using glass salt and pepper shakers, and maybe some glass candle holders too. With salt, and pepper shakers you can use the glass part for the body of a snowman. Most of the metal tops can be used to make the hats for these adorable snowmen too. You can paint the tops, add some cloth or additions to dress them also. For the head you can use maybe small styrofoam balls, small pieces of jewels, use some crystal like balls, or maybe you have some other things with your supplies you could consider too. No set rules, and you can create as you wish.

Adorable snowman family using 2 glass candle holders, and 2 glass salt pepper shakers too. 

This snowman was made from a glass candle holder, and then adding other glass pieces to create this snowman.

Now, this is fabulous too! Old glass candle holder used, the doll head was found when thrifting, I love the jeweled hat made, and just love how the whole piece had been created.

So many ideas shared with all these pictures! It makes me want to create cute pieces for home decor too. I love what others have shared because it is inspirational seeing so many different pieces. I have to note that none of these pictures are mine. These were found on Pinterest with so many other ideas people have shared too. I could spend forever looking, thinking, creating in my mind, taking pictures and notes for further reference with ideas to create my own.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I appreciate you taking the time to visit, and hope to see you again soon. Take care everyone!